Washingtonians

[itsren]

I've met people who have been terrified just looking at a picture of a lizard! I love my animals and I am proud to own them, but as a reptile keeper I've learned the harsh lesson that openly showing the animals that I love to the public just leads to more unfair restrictions on my owning them.

Prior to having twins, I used to teach Cake Decorating through Wilton. At the time, their Course 3 had a clown cake for the students to make. Once I had a student absolutely freeze in class as soon as she saw that cake. At first, I thought she was kidding. Then it became very obvious she was truly terrified. The day the students made that cake, she was able to make herself come into class, but she could not make the cake, or look at anyone else cakes. I had to put her at a separate table. I brought that info back to Wilton at an instructor's meeting. Turns out they had that problem come up more than once across the country. They were talking about taking clowns out of the curriculum. I don't know if they did, though. I stopped teaching after my twins were born.

 

[itsren]

Jennifer your snake is beautiful.

x2. Cool picture!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

For those dealing with fleas. Here is an idea I got from FB that is supposed to work. I have not tested it so have no clue.

Fleas
1 CUP OF BORAX TO 1/2 CUP OF SALT MIX TOGETHER AND SPRINKLE( I USE A SIFTER) KINDA HEAVY ON CARPET AND CLOTH FURNITURE. WORK INTO CARPET AND FURNITURE WITH BROOM. I LEAVE MINE ON FOR 24 HRS. AND IT RIDS FLEAS FOR AT LEAST A YEAR.

 

[FirewifeJess]

For those dealing with fleas. Here is an idea I got from FB that is supposed to work. I have not tested it so have no clue.

Fleas
1 CUP OF BORAX TO 1/2 CUP OF SALT MIX TOGETHER AND SPRINKLE( I USE A SIFTER) KINDA HEAVY ON CARPET AND CLOTH FURNITURE. WORK INTO CARPET AND FURNITURE WITH BROOM. I LEAVE MINE ON FOR 24 HRS. AND IT RIDS FLEAS FOR AT LEAST A YEAR.

Hmm, I have both on hand. I will try that tonight! Thanks CR

 

[SadieSue]

Something Kinda cool happened today..... I was gone most of the day and late tonite. Spending time with my Mom and my Daughter .. we went shopping and to dinner. Kinda a last girls time before my daughter starts high school on Wednesday my mom was having a tough day because of some family stuff so we made a day of it. Well I got home at like 9:30 to nite way past normal chicken chore time. I find out My Husband... went out and fed ALL my chickens even my 39 little babies. He even did all the little extras I do. Like give them treats,add ACV to water and even dished up everyone the fermented feeds that I make for the different groups.. I was soooooooooooooo shocked.

See when I got the original 13 chickens a couple years ago. I did so under great protest from my hubby and daughter I had wanted chickens for a long time, But Hubby thought all chickens meant was MORE work for him. So on our 13 year anniversary I went out and got 13 little chicks.. Put them in our bathtub and tied a big red bow on the tub door with a sign that said "Happy Anniversary to Me"
I knew Id get away with it because it was our Anniversary..... But I did have to promise him that he would never have to take care of them or do any work.... Ive kept that promise for the most part.
So to nite when he did the night time ritual I was shocked. That's when he told me. That Since I got the birds I seem happier. I smile more, I giggle more, and I don't get mad at him as quick as I used to!!!! LOL. Plus he pointed out that I'm spending more time out in the barn with the other critters that everyone seems healthier. I grew up on this same farm that we live on now. Back then I worked with my Dad and my Brother to take care of all the animals and make the farm work. The 3 of us spent a lot of time doing chores and talking "stuff". Both my brother and my father have passed and I kinda just left the farm work to my hubby and others.. seemed easier that way.
Also hubby said that he figures as long as Im happy with the chickens I wont get goats LOL which is of course why he is helping me build new coops and fenced areas this fall. More chickens in exchange for no goats....LOL

I do feel more Zen when I'm watching my chickens and outside in the barn area. Truth is I ve always preferred feathered and 4 legged critters to the 2 legged

Its kinda cool to think about the fact that some little feathery fluff balls can make a person stop and think and remember.. There is a zen that comes from them.. Its cool. Now it seems to be spreading from me to hubby and to others in our little family Its a good thing....

What a lovely post. It was very astute of your husband to notice the positive effect your chickens have on your overall well-being!

 

[itsren]

I AM SO RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED!!! ALREADY THINKING ABOUT WHERE TO GET THREE MORE HENS!!!

Yay!!!!

Last night I talked to DH about either incubating or buying 2 LF Light Brahma chicks and one other breed chick (to reach our max of 6) now. I explained my reasoning behind not waiting until Spring (Drama might outgrow her current coop over the winter and I don't want to put her into a coop big enough for Brahmas by herself). He didn't say yes, but he didn't shut down the idea, either.

If we incubate, we'll incubate 6 Light Brahma's (in hopes to get 2 pullets) and try to find one sexed chick of another breed to go in the coop with Rhodie and Caunnie. We're guessing with 6 eggs, we'd probably be pretty lucky if we got 2-3 to even hatch - and we'd keep our fingers crossed they would be pullets. I'm a little worried about 6 eggs 3/4 the way across the country though.

Any idea what type of bird will mix well with a RIR and an EE? Considering those 2 have been at a complete stand-off with each other, I'd need one that was good at calming the other two down. Yesterday, they got into the biggest fight we've ever seen. And, in the coop, Rhodie slept on one side of the roost, and Caunnie kept shoving into Drama on the other side of the roost in an attempt to get as far away from Rhodie as possible. They can act so much like children!

 

[Greg Richardson]

Quote: Since we aren't going to be getting any rain take the DE outside on your grass and everywhere else around the perimeter of your house.
You'll be taking care of your spiders too.
Excellent time due to no rain for use in the garden also.

 

[itsren]

I do feel more Zen when I'm watching my chickens and outside in the barn area. Truth is I ve always preferred feathered and 4 legged critters to the 2 legged

Its kinda cool to think about the fact that some little feathery fluff balls can make a person stop and think and remember.. There is a zen that comes from them.. Its cool. Now it seems to be spreading from me to hubby and to others in our little family Its a good thing....

I remember your story about how you got your chickens when you joined the thread. That's awesome he's showing an interest in your birds.

I, too, feel much more relaxed when I'm watching my chickens. I've always wanted a small farm. My family heritage was all about farming. My mom was born with club feet, and couldn't farm - so she left the farms in Idaho behind and moved to the city. I've grown up in the city (raised in Burien). I've always lived on small lots, and have always felt crowded. I'm still in a small house on a small lot - it drives me crazy. My little "barn" and chicken run makes me feel like I finally have a little bit of country to enjoy.

 

[itsren]

Thanks Russ. Yeah like you said I don't think it was anything we did wrong, they just showed up and invaded! What a mess. And of course they don't bite me or the kids, just Isaac. He's terribly ticked off and while he knows not to blame the cat, I feel like he's blaming me because I didn't keep up on the Advantage. So now I'm in a lot of pain and still have to be up and vacuuming the house all the time. We actually resorted to bombing the downstairs last night even though we were in the house because we were able to seal it off. We will do the upstairs today or tomorrow. I'm out of flea powder and spray though, so we need to get to Auburn Coastal Farm Supply and buy some DE. I'm going to put it under every bed and dresser and piece of furniture we own, then stick to vacuuming the visible carpets for a few more weeks. Blarg!

Oh, Jess! I'm sorry you have to deal with the fleas. But, I don't think you want DE in the house. That stuff is so lightweight, the kids will breath it into their lungs. The bags say to wear a mask when using it. Even when I scoop poop out of the chicken's sand box, or out of the their coop, that stuff just floats everywhere.

 

[itsren]

Since we aren't going to be getting any rain take the DE outside on your grass and everywhere else around the perimeter of your house.
You'll be taking care of your spiders too.
Excellent time due to no rain for use in the garden also.

Will it take care of those red flying ants? We found some in the cedar play chips where the kids play set is. DH sprayed them with something

(yes, it did start a "discussion") but the spraying didn't work. I tried to drown them with a hose yesterday. I wasted a lot of water, but I was determined!